Trapped: A Fictive Memoir

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100830/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_chile_mine_collapse


I have been trapped in the San Jose Mine in Chile's northern Atacama Desert with 32 other miners since August 5th, 2010. We had to survive over two weeks without contact to the outside world and on two days worth of food. We all had to dig for water in the ground just to survive. We have formed a hierarchy down here so that we have leadership and order. We think this is an important step in maintaining normalization and limiting the amount of conflicts that may arise. I understand that the workers up above have dug three holes in the earth to send down our food, water, and supplies. Five men have had depression issues but anti depressant drugs were sent down to relieve their stress and keep them mentally stable. We are doing all we can to stay physically fit, this is important for our survival and well being. I am trying to keep my spirits high and we are all trying to encourage one another to keep pushing. I try to be a positive influence on the other miners even though I am struggling myself. We understand that we may be down here for a few months before they can rescue us. Even though this came as bad news, I am glad they have been honest with us. The hardest part about being trapped is being away from my family and thinking about the fact that I may not see them again. The government dropped a few cameras down here so they could see the position we were in. A telephone line was also lowered down so that we could speak to our family members. Each miner spoke to his family for about three minutes and I was thrilled to hear my family’s voices on the other end. This was a positive feeling and reassurance that they are trying to get us out of here.